Chapter 5
Home Victorious
A ride that would normally take less than a day took longer with the minor celebrations the men were having; proud of their accomplishment; no longer would their people be plagued by these cannibals, no longer would their children suffer in agony at the sight of their fathers being murdered and their mothers being attacked, and no longer would they fear their own outcome at the hands of monsters who would devour them alive. These were spurts of celebrations, but only a 10th of what would be seen in Avalon upon their return; entering the kingdom made every reason they had gone come to life; people from every quarter of Avalon and several surrounding towns were awaiting the return of the army, lead once again by Alya and several magistrates from the other two minor kingdoms in Aquetiri had arrived to show their thanks. She smiled broadly seeing the revelry, and hoped that this would be an event she would continue seeing, until the end came for the Evil.
As they rode toward the palace she ordered the men to dismount and join the festivities, waving for stable boys to take the horses after she dismounted as well; the boys, all of them squires rushed forward taking several reigns at a time so the master soldiers could enjoy their victory, they led the horses to the great stable which they maintained to high standards. Alya made her way up the stairs to Jora who was waiting with Maeve and several goblets filled with some strong concoction, 'a well deserved celebration', Alya thought. Smiling she took up the first one, leaving one for each of her comrades; Alya moved to the balustrade wall overlooking those who were awaiting her.
Holding up her glass she smiled, they'd made it through with only injuries and those people were healing, "Although I know a celebration is more than warranted, more than needed, we must remember those who gave their lives; either in service or sacrifice. They are the reason we are here, the reason behind everything we do. Hold them in your hearts, minds and souls as if they were family and they will remain with us when we need them most." She looked among the people their breath baited at her comments, "I drink to them, to you and to those who do what they do because it is right." She looked to Lelia and smiled before drinking down the alcohol, everyone in the crowd following suit, then cheering an almost deafening cheer. She waved for the girl and walked towards her friends heading into the palace, the girl and Amir following closely.
They entered the council area where the emissaries of the lesser kingdoms waited, "I thank you gentlemen for joining us." She waved for the girl and Amir to go to the banquet table, after she whispered for Amir to gather the other survivors.
"Is it wise for that girl to be here?" An emissary questioned.
"She gave up everything, her home, her family…to save ours. She's earned it." Alya looked at the man, making him shut his mouth and making the girl smile before she moved in to the banquet area. "Now join us, all of us, or leave." Alya walked in just behind several children who were running in ahead, followed by the rest of the party.
The banquet table was covered start to finish in food; salmon, vegetables, pheasant, beef and other items, expertly cooked by Maeve and her staff. "Enough food to feed everyone here for days" Navarre looked over the spread.
"Just everyone within the palace, Lord Navarre." Maeve smiled the remaining house staff began to enter; something that Alya preferred so she didn't feel she was separate from anyone.
The girl walked back to Maeve and whispered to her, making Maeve laugh softly, "Anything you want, little one, anything. Go eat." The girl smiled, her eyes widened before she went and started to put food onto a plate; portions of everything on the table. As she moved toward the desserts Maeve clicked her tongue and shook her head. "After you eat." The girl nodded and went to the table, sitting by the other children.
Relaxed Conversation
Aron brought Haldir into Alya's library, well after the meal and much of the festivities; she was sitting across from Navarre playing a game. "Did you enjoy the meal, Master Haldir?" She took a drink from the same goblet.
"Yes, there were many things I'd never had before. They were different." The comment made everyone laugh a bit.
"Well, come in, sit."
"This game?"
"Chess. It's a game of strategy." She smiled and moved a piece, "Check." Navarre moved another piece, smiling and taking away Alya's smile.
"Who is winning?"
"Navarre. Unfortunately, my father taught him and he now has mastered it. I never could be beat before that." She smiled at Haldir who was sitting next to her. "So tell me about your home. Your people."
Haldir began to speak, in great detail, about his home in Lothlorien, the Lord and Lady, his brothers, everything. He spoke then of others within their realm; other Elves, Dwarves, and men of each of the Kingdoms that he knew of, and of Hobbits. He answered all questions he could and seemed sullen when speaking of the loss of "The Call". "We aren't certain why we no longer have it. Many seem lost now."
"It may have been when the Evil brought us here, I'm afraid. We went into another world once where their world was completely changed. I'm sorry; I wish I could change it."
Haldir nodded, but didn't offer another word.
"Are you certain that this enemy is still viable in your world?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because when we went into several worlds the Evil drained the enemies; their darkness was a source of great power for ours. They seemed to vanish from existence in most cases." Navarre spoke directly.
Haldir thought for a moment, "I have not heard of them disappearing." That led Alya to wave to Jora who left the room for her own. "Why did you send her out?"
"She can communicate with peoples across great distances. Her ethereal self can manifest to others in these places and ask them questions. Maybe we will find our answer." She looked to Haldir who simply nodded in understanding.
"When my family came here this place was a mess. The advisors believed they had the right to leadership, the people weren't cared for so they did for each other; there was no belief. Then my father took over." She chuckled. "He changed everything they did and everyway they did it. He created a trust and told us never to lose it."
"And you accomplished that, or so I've seen."
"He put those men in charge, training them in ways he'd saved for us. He told them why he did things the way he wanted and they respected his reasoning. He promised to never send them into something unless he had every variable worked out, and even then he was specific." She saw Haldir smile at the comment, "Yes, I very like him." She smiled at the comment. "We went into a place our people called Hellworld, closed it off from all the realms, and we did it because he lead. He had a massive division of 10,000 men and women, most of who knew they walked into their deaths." She scoffed. "We should have died, but we made it here. God only knows why."
"God?"
"Sorry, theological discussion that will happen at a different time, my friend. I just used it as a comment…It means only a higher power has the true answer to an impossible feat."
Haldir nodded, "So your family gave their lives for these people. They aren't your people though, not from birth."
Alya laughed at the comment, "For us, family isn't always born to us. We have a saying in my family. A belief, if you will that there are 2 types of family. There are those you have by birth, like them or not, they are family by blood. The second are those who you chose either because they are loyal or they are your ideal or for whatever reason, but they are family."
"Many people here you consider family. Navarre included."
"Navarre above all others Haldir, above them all. Without him I think I would have gone mad. I'd lost everyone and thought I had no one I could truly trust, but he showed I could trust him." She smiled, "He's my balance."
Haldir smiled. "So you think our enemies might have been dispatched when the Evil came here?"
"Possibly. Usually he doesn't bring us anywhere unless he has something to feed from. Unfortunately, it means that things that were supposed to happen won't, unless people are directed toward them."
"There is no way to truly know what will happen; many things may change the world, fate and destiny."
"True." She laughed again
"What is wrong?"
"Nothing. You just said what I've always told Jora and Aron." She walked on. "I said I don't want to know the future they see, because I wouldn't know if it was something they were making happen or if it was something that was meant to happen."
Haldir nodded in understanding.
"You know what I think? I think if this is the world we are meant to be in that we should send world to all the world's peoples and have games."
"Games?"
"Yes, in my world there were games of skill and strength and ability. We had the best participate and gave medals of fine metals." She smiled at the idea. "Archery, riding, javelin, sword fighting ability, hand-to-hand combat…games of that nature."
"Elves would take all medals then."
"Stop being so much like a man." It was the only insult she could think of and it worked, his scowl showed it. She laughed, "Truce, friend. It was a joke. You should learn humility." She held up her hands in surrender when his demeanor didn't change.
"What metals were considered, fine?"
"We had gold; a yellowish material, not sure why it was considered fine. There was silver and bronze. I'm actually not certain why any were considered fine." She laughed again
"I'm not aware of these metals."
"I doubt it matters, the metals aren't common here. Perhaps some other prize will work." She spoke walking along cobbled streets towards the stables, people along the way bowing to her out of respect.
"So you don't have a liking for certain races where you are from?"
"We do not deal with many outside of our own territories, but we do not dislike them."
"I saw distaste when you mentioned the Dwarves."
"They are different from us." The comment made Alya laugh out loud. "We find them distasteful in their ways, but are allied to them against far worse enemies."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Alya commented, leaving Haldir to pause with question. "A saying of my people. It means, well, it means as it sounds…that in order to win my battle I will side with the enemy of my enemy." Haldir nodded in understanding as they entered the stables where Tobes was.
"M'Lady." Tobes bowed deeply. "Haldir, how are you my friend?"
"Well, Tobes, thank you."
"Have you given the Horse Master his payment?" She asked a stableman nearby.
"Oh, yes M'Lady. A sum I did not expect. Thank you."
"You brought a stranger I had been expecting, treated him well until Aron met up with you."
"Yes, M'Lady, but I would have rather travelled with someone than alone." He smiled.
"No matter, it is money deserved." She looked at Tobes directly, "I was told you wished to buy one of mine to create new stock?"
"Y…y…yes, M'Lady. If it is allowed? I would give you first choice of course."
"I know. Before I do, which were you hoping to cross the Akhal Teke's with?" She showed true concern.
"The Andalusians or the Arabians, M'Lady. Unless you would suggest one better." He seemed apprehensive.
"Yes, M'Lady, but they have been mixed with the Andalusians so I think it will be a Tri-breed" He seemed defeated.
She looked to the stableman who nodded a confirmation. "Distressing." She paused then turned, "Doesn't Normary have a dozen?"
"I believe they do, M'Lady."
"Then Tobes, I will send word to Normary to have them bring a half dozen males with the understanding that they will have second choice after me and I will give you a half dozen of mine, so long as you lessen the price a bit and bring the males back to the stables of Normary for the second group they have?"
"Yes, M'Lady. I was hoping to move closer to Avalon so as not to make such a long trip."
Alya smiled, "We could use a doctor for the stables could we not?" The stableman nodded smiling. "Good then we will find you a piece of land nearby and we will ask for you services should the horses need them."
"Thank you, M'Lady, thank you." He bowed appreciatively.
Jora's Meeting
Her ethereal form passed through the veil into Haldir's world and was quickly swept into a tall tower, before a man with graying hair on his head and beard, he seemed startled by her. "You are Jora?"
She bowed, "You should not be in the form."
"We are as time allows."
"But time shifted, it sent our world here making certain you did not become as you should be."
"And who should I be?"
"Gandalf, the White. As there should be a man on the throne of Gondor, along side him his Elf wife."
Gandalf smiled and chuckled. "As I said, we are as time allows. Regardless of the changes."
"Is he King?"
Gandalf shook his head.
"The ring is gone."
"No, but it holds no power. Nor do the other rings"
"Then your enemies have disappeared." The question was met with a nod. "This is not good. We must have you become what you were meant to be, for your world and ours." She moved across the floor, floating above it. "If he is not King, if Gondor remains without one and Theoden holds no alliance with them, you and your people are in danger. Aragorn must become King. And you must become Gandalf, the White."
"How will the danger come if our enemies and their tools are dead?"
"Through the Evil that took them through their powers." She was definite in her words. "He will raise the armies that he needs and take out all peoples here. He will have his control and gain more power to strike at us."
Gandalf thought on her words for a moment, "You speak a valued truth Jora and I thank you. I will speak with the leaders and find a way to make the necessary advances."
Jora bowed to him and was swept to another place; a place of great art and beauty. She now stood before a man, not unlike Haldir, but with dark hair. He seemed older and wiser though. She bowed, uncertain of who he was, but knowing she should.
"Welcome, Jora." The man spoke with such eloquence.
"I'm afraid I don't know you, Sir."
"Elrond. You were speaking with Gandalf earlier."
"Yes." She hesitated, "I told him he needs to become what he is supposed to."
"That all of us need to become what we were meant to be." Jora nodded.
"Why?" A man with a deeper voice came into view, a woman nearby.
"To help your peoples survive when the Evil comes back."
"He has a hold here, though he is not strong enough to take a host. He is strong enough to begin his army." The man looked upon Elrond, confused. "You must go to Gondor, you must become King. It's the only way to save this world from complete destruction."
The man lowered his eyes, working out what was unfolding. "The Elves will go with you, but this must be done. Without Gandalf." Elrond moved from his location, "He has to do what is necessary for himself."
"You've seen what must unfold then?" Elrond nodded to her, "Good, then I will be off."
"But not home, there is another you will be meeting."
Jora nodded, though she wanted to say that this was the one thing she hated about her ethereal form, if someone had more strength in magic she could be held for a period of time. Her form shifted again and now she stood before the Lady of Lothlorien, the awe was apparent on her face and her eyes never strayed from her.
"Hello Jora."
She bowed, deeper than she'd done before. "I am honored."
Galadriel's husband was at her side, he smiled for a moment. "It is I who am honored." Galadriel spoke with purpose her flowing golden locks swayed in the breeze.
"My Lady was hoping you were well, and though Haldir spoke as if you were, it is good to see it for myself."
Galadriel smiled, "Then she is well?"
"Oh yes, she is her same stubborn self." Galadriel laughed at the words.
"She must think highly of you to speak in such a way." Her husband uttered softly.
"Yes, she prefers it, my Lord." She blushed softly, "She says it makes her feel at home, though I don't understand it."
"We will be assisting in what is necessary. We have sent emissaries to the different realms to begin the transformation of our peoples."
Jora bowed again, "Thank you. And thank you for Haldir; he saved the Lady Alya's life."
The utterance was troublesome for Galadriel, "But she is well you said?"
"Yes, because of him. She was attacking an apposing army when they grabbed her. He pulled her away."
"He was part of your war?" Her husband again spoke.
"She allowed him the right to stand down, but given what this enemy had done he felt he was right in joining us." The words calmed both her hosts. That was when she saw two other elves nearby. "Are they Rumil and Orophin?" The two came forward, nodding. Jora smiled to them, "He's well, and learning what he wants of us."
They both bowed and left, as they were instructed by Galadriel and Celeborn, "Go back and tell you Lady Alya that we will be ready when she has need. We will for all she has done."
"Thank you, both." Jora bowed again and shifted back to her room, breathing swiftly as if she'd been running. In awe still from her journey she laid back a while to regain her normal snarky composure.
The Darkness Brewing
From a distance they watched, staying back as their brethren was wiped out, but now was the time to make their move, after years of digging their tunnel they were closing in on the enemy. 'The sweet taste,' The deformed figure thought, 'fffflessshhhhhhh,' It smiled slyly thinking on how it would feed. The thought made the thing dig faster with its talons. It was thin, almost gaunt, with a rat-like appearance. It had fangs which showed as it moved, and little if any nose while its eyes were large and black. The smell that emanated from it was strongly soured and held a horrible fecal quality mixed with blood; its meal lay dead in the tunnel, Nutria which had strayed into its path.
A noise made it stop for a moment, but as 20 more of its own appeared it went back to scratching at the dirt. Joined by others their mission was to devour as many as they could, it was their order from the Master. Their small brains forced them to work nearly to death for a simple goal, human flesh, as one dropped another took over, working their way to the unsuspecting people.
They broke through an area below the city streets, a sewer area, above people moved along to busy to notice the attackers below. The streets were noisy as the sewer filled with hundred, all hungry and eager to attack those who they could feast on.
A ball bounced down into the sewer and a child, around 6, peered into the crevice for it. His mother not minding him above, the creatures grabbed him quickly snapping his neck before he could scream out. His mother searching for him in the next moments unaware she would meet his fate or worse. A few took bites from the dead child, allowing the blood and meat to trickle down their chin, it sent them into a frenzy and they launched out of the sewer attacking all in their path; their feast would be the dead for later.
Horns in the towers sounded, but before the Kingdom alert could go out to Avalon, the tower guards of Empheron were attacked and their throats ripped out. The horn battered until it fell on a few who ran in the streets below, while hundreds of the hungry creatures attacked in droves.
The attack waged on for hours and any that attempted to hide were found and killed or ripped apart frantically. They never slowed, never stopped and when they believed all were dead they began to feast, voraciously, on the corpses that littered the streets, halls and homes. No one was shown mercy, and any that were alive still saw the horror of the banquet that they would soon be a part of. The lucky died quickly and cleanly, after that no one cared what was done with their flesh; those who were forced into watching as their bones were broken the terror went on for what would seem like hours.
The Valley of Empheron
"Was that the tower horn?" A woman walked out, wiping her hands on her apron.
"I doubt it. If something were wrong they would have sounded louder." An older man shouted, his hearing ability a doubt based off his appearance alone.
"Was Mathias there?"
"He's a guard, Leora. Of course he is."
She seemed distressed, looking up at the Kingdom. "I don't know, I still swear I heard a horn."
"It might have been from the lakes, the fishermen sometimes sound through the fog."
"There is no fog, old man."
The man walked up, "I may be old, but I can still do many things, wife."
She laughed and looked up again, listening. When she heard no more she made her way inside, following her husband, unaware she could have given warning to the returning Lords of the Kingdom.
Aron's Vision
Aron woke with a start, sweat dripped from his forehead as he jumped out of bed, heading swiftly through the palace towards the Queen's room. The guard outside, Taen, stopped him. "I must see her."
"She's on the balcony. She's been speaking with Master Haldir all night."
Aron rushed out, "M'Lady!"
Alya stood quickly surprised by Aron's frantic appearance. "What's wrong?"
"Empheron was attacked, everyone was killed. Slaughtered by the Dwellers." His breathing heavy, his eyes wild. "I saw it all, M'Lady."
"Calm down Aron. Is this something that will happen or has it already?"
"I'm not sure, M'Lady. I've never had a vision so real." The words made Alya back up. "It was horrifying. Truly."
"I don't doubt. Taen!" Before he could even show himself she barked her order, "Gather everyone into the library, NOW!" She heard Taen's feet move away. "Get some rest, Haldir."
"I believe I will join you, M'Lady." He bowed and walked behind her. She moved gracefully, yet quickly down the stone steps, across the marble floors and into the library where Navarre already was.
"M'Lady?" Navarre questioned.
"We will need at least a legion to head to Empheron. Immediately." She turned to Aron. "How did they attack?"
"Underground, they came from the sewer."
"Have my guard take the reserves and another legion and walk the underground. Check for any weaknesses, kill anything that is not ours people. We cannot have the Dwellers breach this place. Have another legion head for Calais." She spoke as the Generals walked in, the words sent two of them back out to do as she ordered. "Lored, go to Empheron, take two legions and destroy any dwellers you find. Let your men know they attacked from the sewers."
Lored bowed and rushed out. This was a time where they would receive no rest, but it was when they were at their best. The armies did as they were ordered, quickly and swiftly, leaving whatever families to question why. Soon the word would be out and the people of Avalon would be vigilante against their enemies; they would protect each other as the soldiers did for them. They would make themselves ready for whatever attacked, whenever they attacked.
Alya moved along the corridors and back to her room, where she planned to change and ride out. Her coat was already off when she realized Navarre was behind her. "You are not thinking about going."
"Actually I was. Now out."
"No. Haldir, stay right where you are."
"You think I won't strip in front of you?"
"You think of me as a father and you have enough decorum not to in front of someone you've just met." He saw her face change, "You will not go up against them. I wouldn't want to. I don't want our men to have to, but it's what they do. Allow them that."
"They've destroyed…"
"Yes, destroyed. Past tense. Now let them do what they do. To an enemy we know."
She took a deep breath, looking to their newest ally. "I do not know this enemy, but I know Navarre has his mind set on you not going." He saw her hesitate and her face softened, "I will ask that you not go. For the sake of the people within Avalon."
She closed her eyes for a moment, "Fine, bring everyone within the kingdom grounds, have what's left of my Guard gather them. Have the second half, Jin included, go with the legion to Empheron."
Navarre smiled, "Yes M'Lady." He bowed and turned, "Thank you Natalya."
She softened further, "Haldir, please have Maeve see to any children who don't have a place to go…"
"You will remain in the palace?"
"Yes, I swear." She smiled as Haldir bowed his head, before leaving swiftly.
"He…" Jora popped off.
"Don't." Alya didn't turn around, "Do you have word?"
"They are working towards what they need. Galadriel is fine, her husband is quite appealing." She giggled, making Alya laugh.
"Only you."
"I am female." Jora sat on the bench before the bed. "I'm glad you are remaining behind."
"I'm not."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." She crossed her legs under her. "But you will stay."
"I promised." She let out a heavy sigh.